The Department of World Languages and Cultures serves a threefold purpose: to encourage an appreciation of humanistic values through the study of world languages, literatures, and cultures; to teach world languages as a means of communication; and to prepare students for academic careers and the opportunities available in the field of international business. As part of a dynamic urban university in a city of growing international awareness and status, the department is fulfilling its responsibility to meet the increasing world language needs of the governmental, business, and professional communities.

The department recognizes that an active command of the world language and a thorough exploration of the related cultures form an essential basis for further study in the various areas of its curriculum. To this end, the department sponsors a study-abroad program in Tours (France).

The department maintains a state-of-the-art multimedia Language Acquisition and Resource Center (LARC) with a digital audio laboratory with 50 student computer workstations. The digital lab serves a dual purpose in allowing both independent student access to digitized audio files and interactive software that accompanies the language texts, and also in providing a multimedia environment for teacher-led listening, speaking, and recording activities. In addition to the audio lab, the LARC features a tutoring center and resource library, as well as 17 stand-alone computers for student use. To assist in the development of the student’s active language skills and to provide added cultural enrichment, the LARC contains a wide range of audiovisual materials, including an extensive collection of videos, CD Roms and DVDs.

The department sponsors two Freshman Learning Communities each year. One group is designed for students interested in using their world language in international business. The other, sponsored jointly by the Department of Applied Linguistics/ESL, is in Language Studies.

For students who hope to teach at the K-12 levels, the department offers a concentration that leads to certification in French.

For students who view language study as a preparation for a career in the business world, the department has two special programs: a concentration in the business language of French; and a practicum in an internationally oriented business or service organization in the metro area for qualified and interested students in their senior year. The department also offers the Bachelor of Arts Major in International Economics and Modern Languages (IEML), in collaboration with the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.

The department is also a testing center for diplomas certifying proficiency in business language and procedures. These diplomas are granted by chambers of commerce in various countries.

All French majors are encouraged to consult regularly with their departmental adviser in designing and following a program of study that fits their own career objective and the requirements of their particular concentration.

Program Degree Requirements

In addition to courses in the language major, students are advised to choose courses in other areas that complement their language study. Such courses include other languages, history, philosophy, art and music, business, and education. Faculty advisers in the department are eager to discuss students’ academic plans as they design their course of study.

In addition to the Program Degree Requirements, students must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements (see section 3030) and the University Degree Requirements (see section 1400).

Program Financial Information

Effective summer 2009, lab fees will be assessed automatically for students who register for certain courses. As a result, students will no longer be required to purchase lab fee cards. For more information, please feel free to contact the department or review the GoSolar or catalog course listings to determine if a course includes a lab fee.

B.A. in French

Area F: Courses Appropriate to the Major (18)

Required courses (0-9):

FREN through the 2002 level (0-9)
Majors must achieve competence at the intermediate level before beginning courses at the 3000 level. They may demonstrate competence through placement exam scores, including the CLEP exam, prior study, or courses taken at Georgia State University.

Select additional elective courses from the following to complete 18 hours in Area F:

The major in French consists of 30 hours (ten courses) on the 3000/4000 level. Prerequisite for all courses on the 3000 level is FREN 2002. Prerequisite for all courses at the 4000 level is the completion of the three courses at the 3000 level.

Requirements for Teacher Certification

Students who wish to be certified to teach French in the public schools of Georgia should choose the courses listed under the “World Language Education Concentration” above and the following methodology courses in the Department of World Languages and Cultures: ForL 3022, 4021, 4025, 4026, and 4030. All students will register for Opening School Experience (ForL 4650) and Student Teaching (ForL 4061/4062/4063).

All students seeking certification in French must pass the following courses in the College of Education and Human Development with a grade of C or higher: EDUC 2110, EDUC 2120, EDUC 2130, and EXC 4020.

Students must apply formally and be admitted to the Teacher Education program in world languages. For the application forms, please go to the Department of World Languages and Cultures’ website under Teacher Certification and then Program Information. To qualify for the Student Teaching experience, students must receive a grade of B or higher on a departmental test of oral and written proficiency in their target languages. Specific information about date and place of these exams is available in the department office (841 LH). To apply, students must have:

earned a 2.5 overall cumulative GPA,

passed [Combined Test I, II, and III (700)] or been exempted from the GACE Program Admission Assessment. When registering for the assessment, program entry candidates must add your program provider (Georgia State University – school code 5090) as a score recipient when you register or we will not receive notification that you have completed the assessment.; and

completed the Georgia Educator Ethics – Program Entry (350) Assessment; though there is no “Pass/Fail” grade assigned. Program entry candidates must add your program provider (Georgia State University) as a score recipient when you register or we will not receive notification that you have completed the assessment.

In order to be recommended for K-12 certification in French, students must complete all courses taken in the Department of World Languages and Cultures (the major and ForL courses) with a grade of B or higher.

Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE)

The state of Georgia requires such candidates to take various GACE and Educator Ethics assessments as part of the educator certification process. These computer-delivered assessments have been developed by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) and are delivered by the Education Testing Service (ETS). You will take these tests at different times.

Program Admission and Content Assessments: Program Admission Assessment [Combined Test I, II, and III (700)] is an admission requirement (unless candidate meets qualifications for exemption – scroll down to “Options to Satisfy the Program Admission Assessment Requirement”). When registering for the assessment, program entry candidates must add your program provider (Georgia State University – school code 5090) as a score recipient when you register or we will not receive notification that you have completed the assessment.

Content Assessment (different content assessments for each program) tests your content knowledge and is taken after enrollment and prior to program completion. You will receive specific information regarding this test as you near completion of your program (required for certification).

Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment: Georgia Educator Ethics – Program Entry (350) Assessment is an admission requirement. Completion of this assessment is required for admission, though there is no “Pass/Fail” grade assigned. Program entry candidates must add your program provider (Georgia State University) as a score recipient when you register or we will not receive notification that you have completed the assessment.

edTPA

edTPA is a preservice assessment process designed by educators to answer the essential question: “Is a new teacher ready for the job?” edTPA includes a review of a teacher candidate’s authentic teaching materials as the culmination of a teaching and learning process that documents and demonstrates each candidate’s ability to effectively teach his/her subject matter to all students.

edTPA is a program completion and teacher certification requirement. Students may graduate from the BIS program while continuing to complete teacher certification requirements for edTPA.

French majors are not required to take a minor. French majors who choose a minor in other departments/schools/institutes are encouraged to select courses that are appropriate to their area of concentration. Students are also urged to consider combining their major with a second major in another language or another discipline under the Double Major option.

Up to six additional hours may be taken in the major.

Critical Thinking Through Writing Requirement

As of summer 2015, all students are required to complete one Critical Thinking Through Writing (CTW) course as part of the major. The university formerly required two CTW courses. Students following previous catalog requirements who have passed one CTW
course in the major should consult with their senior academic advisor to determine which courses may be used as a substitution for the other formerly required CTW course. Information on senior advisement in the Office of Academic Assistance is available atcas.gsu.edu/undergraduate/senior-advisement-90-credit-hours/.

Bachelor of Arts in International Economics and Modern Languages

Students majoring in the IEML program with a French concentration should contact the Andrew Young School of Policy studies for advisement. Information for this program is available at www.aysps.gsu.edu/oaa.

Program Admission

There are no admission requirements above the requirements for admission to the University for enrollment in the IEML.

Program Financial Information

There are no additional fees other than the tuition and fees charged by the University for enrollment in this program.

Program Degree Requirements

For degree credit, a minimum grade of C must be attained in ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102 and all courses in the economics common core curriculum and modern languages core curriculum.

Complete descriptions of requirements for Areas A through E of the Undergraduate Core Curriculum can be found in the “University Degree Requirements and Graduation” chapter of this catalog. The number of semester credit hours required for each section is shown in parentheses.

Students who have not already attained elementary-level proficiency in their chosen language will be required to take prerequisite courses (FREN 1001 and/or FREN 1002). In that case, the 1002 language course may be used to satisfy 3 credit hours of core requirements in Area C.

Students who have already attained intermediate-level competency in French may substitute 1000/2000-level courses in another language for FREN 2001/FREN 2002 upon approval of the Department of World Languages and Cultures advisor.

Area I: Electives (12) Choose any four 3000/4000-level courses, in consultation with the faculty adviser.

Minor in French

Students who wish to minor in French must take 15-18 hours in courses in French, including at least nine semester hours at the 3000 level or above. Students taking more than 15 hours of courses in the language may count the additional hours toward their electives or may consider completing a double major. A grade of C or higher is required in all courses counting toward the minor.

Dual B.A. / M.A. Program in French

The department offers a dual Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in French. The dual degree opportunity enables qualified students to enroll in graduate courses late in their undergraduate program and count the coursework toward both the bachelor’s and master’s programs.

Students must be formally accepted into the dual degree program by the department and College of Arts and Sciences to be able to take graduate courses as an undergraduate. Additionally, acceptance into the dual program does not constitute admission to the master’s program. Students must fulfill regular graduate admissions requirements and apply for the master’s program following college processes.

Information about the dual program, including application instructions and program requirements, can be found at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/.

Graduation with Distinction in the Major

This department offers undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn the designation of graduation with distinction in the major. Please contact the department undergraduate director for the specific criteria for this honor.